[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by stevep

I have been in the transmission business since 1975. I ran my own trans shop from 1984-2017. I now run a small shop in the suburbs of Boston where I specialize in vintage transmission and do vintage car repairing.

That really sounds like fun to me. My intent was similar when I opened my little shop again in 2013. But I found that working on "more ordinary" cars for fleets especially paid better around here. Also my space is limited and the "cool cars" I really enjoy working on stay here too long. Trying to strike a nice balance, haven't gotten there yet.

[gr8 goat]

Right now I just keep my 70 goat in ready to run condition for those good old spring to fall spur of the moment rural drives. Been retired from Bell Canada for ten years after being there for thirty years. I decided at 55 to start enjoying my life with my wife and get some extra years in on using the old car while the fuel of today can still be used in it.
Long drives, Pontiacs and retired... Yeah Baby!!!!

[first gen Birdman]

Mechanic,started out working on a 1964 G.T.O with older brother when I was 12 ! and I was hooked, so I chose a career as a mechanic ,later on I managed a few shop's for other's ,then went on to opened a automotive engine machine shop which I ran for 12 years's, Got tired of never having any time for myself so went back to work for a dealership for the last 21 year's as a mechanic .

[Bill13]

Electrician since I was 21, still working hard at 55. Still saving for my first GTO. Got to pay for two children that have combined 6 more years of college.

[hgerhardt]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I see you're in California, were you at NASA Ames? Many moons ago I worked for a company that designed and built wind tunnels, we did some work out there but more so at Langley in Virginia.

No, never made it to Ames. Do most testing at AEDC in Tullahoma, TN and the NGC wind tunnel in Hawthorne, CA.

[BobC]

IBEW 288
UAW 31
Skilled Trades electrician
33+ years at GM Fairfax Assembly in Kansas City, KS.

[Mr Dave]

Mechanical Engineer since 1997, designing HVAC, plumbing, and fire sprinkler systems. Started my own consulting firm in 2007. Looking for mechanical and electrical PEs if anyone wants to move to Florida!

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by hgerhardt

No, never made it to Ames. Do most testing at AEDC in Tullahoma, TN and the NGC wind tunnel in Hawthorne, CA.

There were a couple people at the company I worked for (FluiDyne) who had been hired away from AEDC in Tullahoma. I imagine the pool of people with wind tunnel experience was pretty small.

[Aluminum Chief]

NYC Fireman-1983-2003, 2000 Promoted to Lieutenant.

Drove my own 18 wheeler days off from FDNY, Did pier work @ Port Newark.

Started buying rental properties in Staten Island NY back in the 80`s.

Still babysitting my tenants.

[bluejudge]

I work as a Utility Worker (Local 1-2) for Con Ed in Manhattan for 30+ years.

[C-lane]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

Currently retired, I was a mechanic from 16 YO until I was 51, I then got trained to secure a Class A CDL so I drove semi until I was injured, disabled, and went on SSDI at 59.

I am a diesel mechanic and have always wanted to switch of to driving big rigs instead of working on them. They make three times what I do and less back breaking work. Did you like the change up?

[Sirrotica]

I made the change because of all the physical ailments I had from beating the crap out of my body and joints for 40 plus years.

All was fine until when hauling fuel into retail service stations I jumped off of the top step onto the ground and landed on a short piece of rebar sticking up and partially severed the fascia band in my foot, year and a half later I went back to work and slipped on a bunch of spilled diesel fuel from a leaking fill tube at a fuel rack. I fell backward and messed up my left wrist, surgery and am now restricted to lifting no more than 10 lbs. with my left wrist.

The last injury put me on SSDI in 2012 so I in effect had more debilitating injuries driving truck than I did turning wrenches, just bad luck on my part. It surely didn't work out the way I expected, but I didn't mind driving. Of course is pretty much 60 hours or more a week, and no OT pay. If you like your weekends as your own you won't have that luxury driving truck for most companies. OTR is the worst for time off.

If I were you, you might look into construction equipment, or possibly Ag equipment tech, pay seems better that truck work. I went from car and truck work in 1988 to working on rental equipment for some of the bigger rental companies, much better pay than working on vehicles. The problem is mechanics never have shed the grease monkey image in the minds of a lot of employers eyes, and they think you're only a dirty mechanic, and can be easily replaced with a younger guy fresh out of tech school, willing to work for less money.

[DOC]

30 years in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman . Retired in 2016. Have worked as a Clinic Director and worked in a dental office. Didn’t like either job. Now work at a medical supply distribution warehouse doing inventory control and receiving. Hands down this is the funnest job I have done in a long time. Just responsible for myself and my work. I don’t have to babysit anyone nor have to deal with customers whining. I am working Just to put extra on the house to get it paid off. My last big debt.

[TB1]

I've worker in the Marine Engineering field for the last 20 years, currently Chief Engineer on a Liquid Natural gas fueled Passenger/car ferry in British Columbia Canada. Still lots of time before I retire (14-15 years) but the job is great,pays good,
I work a week on week off so lots of time to play with cars.

[92GTA]

I'm late to the party but I'll play...

I do industrial cybersecurity, mostly critical infrastructure stuff in sectors like energy, water, and transportation.

[JUDGE3]

Originally Posted by Aluminum Chief

NYC Fireman-1983-2003, 2000 Promoted to Lieutenant.

Drove my own 18 wheeler days off from FDNY, Did pier work @ Port Newark.

Started buying rental properties in Staten Island NY back in the 80`s.

Still babysitting my tenants.

the cars in your signature.............Wow! still have them all? love those 62's pics?

[Chris65LeMans]

I've been putting together real estate investment partnerships for - almost 20 years now. wow...

[beemergary]

Worked for GM for 40 yrs. as a tinsmith. Built houses etc. as a second job to go on hunting trips with brother to Alaska-yukon-britsh columbia-northwest territories-alberta etc. I try not to set down.

[Aluminum Chief]

Originally Posted by JUDGE3

the cars in your signature.............Wow! still have them all? love those 62's pics?

Yes I have the cars listed plus some on the dark side not listed.

[1968firebird455]

I am still with the first company I joined straight out of college ( I actually interned here as well Junior year!). I spent the first 8 years as an aerospace forging design engineer and the last 2 as a process engineer. We have one of the largest hydraulic presses in the world as well as smaller hydraulics, mechanicals and steam hammers. It's pretty rare for someone from my generation to stay in one place this long.